YUMA, Arizona — On Friday night, Feb. 8, 2013, an amazing woman’s journey here on Earth came to an end and she began another journey. Christi L. Brito was born Nov. 19, 1955, in Roswell, N.M., to Harry “Gene” and Charlcia Curtis.

Our mother was the most brilliant and compassionate woman who loved unconditionally. She valued her family above all else and taught us to do the same. Her love and compassion has reached out and made a difference in so many peoples lives. Her legacy will live on for many years to come, not only with her [auth] family, but within the nursing profession as well. She will always be a part of us and we will miss you so much, Mama.

Christi graduated in 1973 from Roswell High School. She went on to receive her associates degree in nursing and became an RN. She later received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Nursing through the University of Phoenix. Her heart has always led her to help others as a community advocate in social and political issues. She was a board member at the Regional Center for Border Health, a member of AZNA, and instructor of nursing for the University of Phoenix and was the educator for the ICU. In her home town of Roswell she took great pride in advocating against W.I.P.P., among many other social injustices.

Christi is survived by her daughters, Medea Michelle Ponce and Valerie Rhea Brito, both of Yuma, Ariz.; grandsons, Dominic Brito and Christopher Ponce, both of Yuma; granddaughters, Desiree Ponce of Roswell, and Alexis and Brianna Garcia, of Yuma; great-granddaughter Gianna Catalaya Brito, of Yuma; brother Harry Eugene (wife, Kim) Curtis and their children Courtney and Travis Curtis, of Roswell; sisters-in-law, Elida (husband, Robert) Zamora, Nellie Fields and her two children Michael Brito and Amanda Carrasco, Martha Ramirez, Gloria Brito, Nadine (husband, Bud) Jones; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.